Life vest apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved life vest apparatus structured and arranged to allow for easy access to a built-in water pack thereby preventing a user from having to stop while riding a jet ski or enjoying other kinds of water sports along with quick access to a whistle, which is required by all those riding on personal water crafts.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of personal flotation devices and more specifically relates to an improved life vest apparatus structured and arranged to allow for easy access to a built-in water pack thereby preventing a user from having to stop while riding a jet ski or enjoying other kinds of water sports along with quick access to a whistle, which is required by all those riding on personal water crafts.

2. Description of the Related Art

A personal flotation device is a piece of equipment designed to assist a wearer to keep afloat in water. The wearer may be either conscious or unconscious. Personal flotation devices are available in different sizes to accommodate variations in body weight. Designs differ depending on wearing convenience and level of protection.

A personal water craft (PWC), also called water scooter, jetski, and comically a boatercycle, is a recreational watercraft that the rider sits or stands on, rather than inside of, as in a boat. PWCs have two style categories. The first and most popular being a “sit down” or “couch”, where the rider uses the watercraft mainly sitting down and typically holds two or more people. The second style is a “stand up”, where the rider uses the watercraft standing up. The stand up styles are built for one rider and is used more for doing tricks, racing, and are used in competitions. Both styles have an inboard engine driving a pump jet that has a screw-shaped impeller to create thrust for propulsion and steering. They are often referred by the trademarked brand names Jet Ski (referring to personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki), WaveRunner, or Sea-Doo. Most are designed for two or three people, though four-passenger models exist.

Unfortunately, users on personal water crafts such as on jet skis can become very thirsty and dehydrated, and they hate to stop riding when they need a sip of water from a bottle stored in a compartment on their machines. Therefore, a need exists for a specially designed new kind of life vest that will provide those riding on PWCs, like jet skis, wet bikes and wave runners, with an easy way to grab a sip of water while going 70 mph.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in life preserver device art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 9,359,049 to Ryan Alexander; U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0122358 to Jason Dwayne Hansbro; U.S. Pat. No. 8,357,020 to Jason Hansbro; U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0038969 to Eddie Miller; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,925 to Smith et al. This prior art is representative of life preserver and hydration devices.

Ideally, an improved life vest apparatus should be user-friendly and safe in-use and, yet should operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for an improved life vest apparatus structured and arranged to allow for easy access to a built-in water pack thereby preventing a user from having to stop while riding a jet ski or enjoying other kinds of water sports along with quick access to a whistle, which is required by all those riding on personal water crafts and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known personal flotation devices art, the present invention provides an improved life vest apparatus. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an improved life vest apparatus structured and arranged to allow for easy access to a built-in water pack thereby preventing a user from having to stop while riding a jet ski or enjoying other kinds of water sports along with quick access to a whistle, which is required by all those riding on personal water crafts.

An improved life vest apparatus comprises a main body; a water bottle member; and a whistle member. The main body including: a front portion, a back portion; two shoulder portions; and a plurality of releasable attachment members.

The front portion has an inner volume, a front surface, and a straw holding member. The inner volume includes an inner fill material adapted to allow the improved life vest apparatus to float in water. The straw holding member is attached to the front surface and is adapted to releasable retain a portion of a straw member therein.

The back portion has an inner volume, a back surface, and a pocket member. The inner volume includes an inner fill material adapted to allow the improved life vest apparatus to float in water. The pocket member is attached to the back surface and is adapted to releasably hold a water bottle member therein. The two shoulder portions are spaced from one another and connected between upper portions of said front and back portions. The front portion, said back portion, and said two shoulder portions form a neck opening.

The plurality of releasable attachment members are connected between the front portion and the back portion and are adapted to hold the improved life vest apparatus against an upper torso portion of a person wearing the improved life vest apparatus.

The water bottle member includes: a main body portion; a cap member; and a straw member. The main body portion includes an interior volume adapted to retain liquids therein; and an opening within a top portion thereof. The main body portion is adapted to be removably placed within the pocket member of the back portion. The cap member includes an aperture therethrough adapted to allow a straw member to pass therethrough. The cap member is adapted to releasably connect with the main body portion and releasably cover the opening.

The straw member includes a proximal end portion, a middle section, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion adapted to pass through the aperture and into the interior volume of the main body portion. The middle section adapted to extend out from the pocket member of the back portion, extend over one of said two shoulder portions, and be located upon said front portion of the main body. The distal end portion adapted to pass through and be releasably retained by the straw holding member of the front portion of the main body and be accessible by the person wearing the improved life vest apparatus to thereby be able to suck on the distal end portion and retrieve liquids retained in the main body portion.

The whistle member is releasably attached to the distal end portion of the straw member, such that the person wearing the improved life vest apparatus is able to retrieve and blow the whistle member when necessary.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an improved life vest apparatus. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, an Improved Life Vest Apparatus, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an Improved Life Vest Apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view illustrating an Improved Life Vest Apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3 shows a back perspective view illustrating an Improved Life Vest Apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view illustrating an Improved Life Vest Apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view illustrating the Improved Life Vest Apparatus in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a back perspective view illustrating the Improved Life Vest Apparatus in an in-use condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a personal flotation device and more specifically relates to an improved life vest apparatus structured and arranged to allow for easy access to a built-in water pack thereby preventing a user from having to stop while riding a jet ski or enjoying other kinds of water sports along with quick access to a whistle, which is required by all those riding on personal water crafts.

Generally speaking, the improved life vest apparatus has several outstanding features that are not provided by any other life vests on the market. There is a built-in water pack on the rear face of the life vest that can be accessed through the straw that comes over the right shoulder, so users will not have to stop when needing a drink. The water pack itself can be removed from the life vest by opening its zippered pocket on the back of the vest. This will make it easy to clean and to refill. The refill cap is large enough to allow users to add ice, so the water they are sipping will stay cool and refreshing on a hot day.

A clear window with measurements on the back allows users to tell at a glance how much water is left in their water packs. The straw fits into a groove on the front of the vest, which prevents it from being whipped by the wind while riding. The mandatory safety whistle is attached to the drinking straw, so it can be accessed quickly in an emergency. The front of the vest is padded, and there are handle supports for a rear passenger at the waist. The release buckles for securing the vest to the body are on the sides, and a loop for hanging the vest when it is not in use has been added to the back. A matching lanyard for a jet ski key will also be available when purchasing this vest.

The unique features of this product will provide the following benefits for all those who own PWCs:

-   -   The built-in water pack provides a convenient way to have a         refreshing drink without having to stop     -   The safety whistle attached to the drink straw can be accessed         quickly in an emergency, meeting the mandatory safety         regulations     -   The straw is secured on the front of the life vest by fitting         into a groove, making it easy to access when needing a sip     -   The water pack is removable, so it can be cleaned, and its         refill cap is large enough to allow ice to be added     -   There is pocket on the front for carrying any waterproof device     -   Handle supports provide a comfortable way for rear passengers to         hang on     -   The loop on the back allows the vest can be hung up for drying         and for storage

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, showing perspective views illustrating improved walking stick 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

Improved life vest apparatus 100 comprises main body 110; water bottle member 360; and whistle member 180. Main body 110 including: front portion 120, back portion 300; two shoulder portions 200; and plurality of releasable attachment members 230 Front portion 120 has inner volume 130, front surface 140, and straw holding member 160. Inner volume 130 includes inner fill material 134 adapted to allow improved life vest apparatus 100 to float in water. Wherein inner fill material 134 is formed from a foam material. Wherein the foam material is a plastic foam material.

Straw holding member 160 is attached to front surface 140 and is adapted to releasable retain a portion of straw member 160 therein. Wherein front surface 140 of front portion 120 further includes elongated groove 142 therein and is adapted to retain at least middle section of straw member 160 therein, to thereby help prevent straw member 160 being blown away from front portion 120 via windy conditions when improved life vest apparatus 100 is in use as shown in in-use condition 500 of FIG. 5.

Wherein front portion 120 further includes two support slots 122 formed within opposite side portions thereof and adapted such that a person located behind person 510 wearing improved life vest apparatus 100 can grab onto improved life vest apparatus 100 via two support slots 122 with their hands and hold onto person 510. Wherein front portion 120 further includes lanyard member 126 attached thereto adapted to releasably attach a jet ski key thereto. Wherein front surface 140 of front portion further includes pocket member 144 thereon for securely storing items therein.

Two shoulder portions 200 are spaced from one another and connected between upper portions of front portion 120 and back portion 300. The Font portion 120, back portion 300, and two shoulder portions 200 form neck opening 250.

Plurality of releasable attachment members 200 are connected between front portion 120 and back portion 300 and are adapted to hold improved life vest apparatus 100 against an upper torso portion of person 510 wearing improved life vest apparatus 100 as shown in in-use condition 500 of FIGS. 5 and 6. Wherein each of plurality of releasable attachment members 200 are formed as mating snap latch and latch receiver members 230. Wherein each of plurality of releasable attachment members 200 are formed as mating hook and loop material portions 390 as shown in FIG. 3. Wherein each of plurality of releasable attachment members 200 are formed as strap members 450 as shown in FIG. 4.

Back portion 300 has an inner volume 310, back surface 320, and pocket member 330. Inner volume 310 includes inner fill material 314 adapted to allow improved life vest apparatus 100 to float in water. Wherein back portion 300 further includes loop member 304 attached to an upper portion thereof and adapted to allow improved life vest apparatus 100 to be hung upon a hook member when not in use.

Pocket member 330 is attached to back surface 320 and is adapted to releasably hold water bottle member 360 therein. Wherein pocket member 330 includes zipper member 334 adapted to allow water bottle member 360 to be securely removably placed and retained therein. Wherein pocket member 330 further includes transparent portion 340 adapted to allow visual inspection of water bottle member 360. Wherein water bottle member 360 is formed from a translucent material adapted to allow a person to determine the amount of liquid retained therein, such that a person using improved life vest apparatus 100 can look through transparent portion 340 of pocket member 330 and determine the amount of liquid retained within water bottle member 360. Wherein transparent portion 340 of pocket member 330 includes graduated indicia 344 thereon adapted to allow a person to visually measure the amount of liquid retained within water bottle member 360.

Water bottle member 360 includes: main body portion 364; cap member 372; and straw member 170. Main body portion 364 includes interior volume 366 adapted to retain liquids therein; and opening 368 within a top portion thereof. Main body portion 364 is adapted to be removably placed within pocket member 330 of back portion 300. Cap member 372 includes aperture 376 therethrough adapted to allow straw member 170 to pass therethrough. Cap member 372 is adapted to releasably connect with main body portion 364 and releasably cover opening 368. Water bottle member 360 is formed as flexible bladder member 362. Wherein flexible bladder member 362 is formed from a translucent polyvinyl material.

Straw member 170 includes proximal end portion 172, middle section 174, and distal end portion 176. Proximal end portion 172 adapted to pass through aperture 376 and into interior volume 130 of main body portion 110. Middle section 174 adapted to extend out from pocket member 330 of back portion 300, extend over one of two shoulder portions 200, and be located upon front portion 120 of main body 110. Distal end portion 176 adapted to pass through and be releasably retained by straw holding member 160 of front portion 120 of main body 110 and be accessible by person 510 wearing improved life vest apparatus 100 to thereby be able to suck on distal end portion 176 and retrieve liquids retained in main body portion 110 as shown in in-use condition 500 of FIG. 5. Whistle member 180 is releasably attached to distal end portion 176 of straw member 170, such that person 510 wearing improved life vest apparatus 100 is able to retrieve and blow whistle member 180 when necessary.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved life vest apparatus comprising: a main body including: a front portion including: an inner volume; wherein said inner volume includes an inner fill material adapted to allow said improved life vest apparatus to float in water; a front surface; and a straw holding member; wherein said straw holding member is attached to said front surface and is adapted to releasable retain a portion of a straw member therein; a back portion including: an inner volume; wherein said inner volume includes an inner fill material adapted to allow said improved life vest apparatus to float in water; a back surface; and a pocket member; wherein said pocket member is attached to said back surface and is adapted to releasably hold a water bottle member therein; two shoulder portions; wherein said two shoulder portions are spaced from one another and connected between upper portions of said front and back portions; and wherein said front portion, said back portion, and said two shoulder portions form a neck opening; and a plurality of releasable attachment members; wherein said plurality of releasable attachment members are connected between said front portion and said back portion and are adapted to hold said improved life vest apparatus against an upper torso portion of a person wearing said improved life vest apparatus; a water bottle member including: a main body portion includes: an interior volume adapted to retain liquids therein; and an opening within a top portion thereof; wherein said main body portion is adapted to be removably placed within said pocket member of said back portion; a cap member including: an aperture therethrough adapted to allow a straw member to pass therethrough; wherein said cap member is adapted to releasably connect with said main body portion and releasably cover said opening; a straw member including: a proximal end portion adapted to pass through said aperture and into said interior volume of said main body portion; a middle section adapted to extend out from said pocket member of said back portion, extend over one of said two shoulder portions, and be located upon said front portion of said main body; and a distal end portion adapted to pass through and be releasably retained by said straw holding member of said front portion of said main body and be accessible by said person wearing said improved life vest apparatus to thereby be able to suck on said distal end portion and retrieve liquids retained in said main body portion; and a whistle member; wherein said whistle member is releasably attached to said distal end portion of said straw member, such that said person wearing said improved life vest apparatus is able to retrieve and blow said whistle member when necessary.
 2. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front portion further includes two support slots formed within opposite side portions thereof and adapted such that a person located behind a person wearing said improved life vest apparatus can grab onto said improved life vest apparatus via said two support slots with their hands and hold onto said person.
 3. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front surface of said front portion further includes an elongated groove therein and is adapted to retain at least said middle section of said straw member therein, to thereby help prevent said straw member being blown away from said front portion via windy conditions when said improved life vest apparatus is in use.
 4. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pocket member includes a zipper member adapted to allow said water bottle member to be securely removably placed and retained therein.
 5. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 4, wherein said pocket member further includes a transparent portion adapted to allow visual inspection of said water bottle member; and wherein said water bottle member is formed from a translucent material adapted to allow a person to determine the amount of liquid retained therein, such that a person using said improved life vest apparatus can look through said transparent portion of said pocket member and determine the amount of liquid retained within said water bottle member.
 6. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said back portion further includes a loop member attached to an upper portion thereof and adapted to allow said improved life vest apparatus to be hung upon a hook member when not in use.
 7. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front portion further includes a lanyard member attached thereto adapted to releasably attach a jet ski key thereto.
 8. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of releasable attachment members are formed as mating snap latch and latch receiver members.
 9. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of releasable attachment members are formed as mating hook and loop material portions.
 10. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of releasable attachment members are formed as strap members.
 11. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said front surface of said front portion further includes a pocket member thereon for securely storing items therein.
 12. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 5, wherein said transparent portion of said pocket member includes graduated indicia thereon adapted to allow a person to visually measure the amount of liquid retained within said water bottle member.
 13. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner fill material is formed from a foam material.
 14. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 13, wherein said foam material is a plastic foam material.
 15. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 1, wherein said water bottle member is formed as a flexible bladder member.
 16. The improved life vest apparatus of claim 15, wherein said flexible bladder member is formed from a translucent polyvinyl material. 